Saratoga Snapshots; 48 Years of Memories

re: Saratoga Snapshots; 45 Years of Memories

Lise from Maine — Thu, 22 Aug 2013 18:32:44 GMT

Hi!

Any updates on Rachel Alexandra?

How is she?

Thank you!

Lise from Maine

re: Saratoga Snapshots; 45 Years of Memories

Lise from Maine — Thu, 22 Aug 2013 18:29:13 GMT

Hi!

Great stories and photos.

Thanks for sharing them with your audience.

Lise from Maine

re: Saratoga Snapshots; 45 Years of Memories

TerriV — Sun, 11 Aug 2013 00:05:30 GMT

I am so jealous, Steve. What a wonderous life of horses you have experienced!! I love that you find the beauty in each and every one. And, we, your avid readers, can't thank you enough for sharing.

re: Saratoga Snapshots; 45 Years of Memories

Slew — Sat, 10 Aug 2013 16:46:36 GMT

Wow! With tears in my eyes, I can say only, "Thank you for sharing such precious moments with us, Steve."

(Hmmmm..the Doc. Wow, again.)

re: Saratoga Snapshots; 45 Years of Memories

Determinato — Thu, 08 Aug 2013 13:06:49 GMT

Steve, your storys never fail at giving me the feeling of being right there and actually experiencing the entire thing! I havn't been to Saratoga since I was a young teen (1968-1970)When my dad used to follow an old favororite horse of his Judgeable! but after reading this I have to make the pigrimage! Thanks for the memories my friend!

Ron Marano

re: Saratoga Snapshots; 45 Years of Memories

Cassandra.Says — Thu, 08 Aug 2013 10:43:19 GMT

Mom's Command: what attitude! Brilliant name.

When we are lamenting the lack of recognition favorite horses get for great feats, we might also look at who's on their backs: Abigail Fuller's Triple Crown rides go from overlooked to overwritten, with other women riders credited with firsts that belong to Abby.

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sysonby — Thu, 08 Aug 2013 03:30:43 GMT

Tears as I read the story...Tears as I read the comments from your loyal audience...Thank you hardly seems like enough....

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The Doctor — Thu, 08 Aug 2013 01:16:38 GMT

Ta Wee - I totally agree with the last sentence in your previous blog. He was truly amazing!! I also like your moniker. What did she carry 141 lbs. in the Interborough Hcp! You'll never see those days again.

re: Saratoga Snapshots; 45 Years of Memories

nickie — Wed, 07 Aug 2013 23:15:23 GMT

thanks Steve. Fager is my all time fav, and although I was an Alydar fan, I must say the pic of Affirmed is impressive[I can see where he got his ability, that rear end is massive]. My recall of Cappys' call of the '63 Travers[my first] is still crystal clear, with a small but impressive field. Thanks again Steve for bringing back ton of memories

re: Saratoga Snapshots; 45 Years of Memories

Fran Loszynski — Wed, 07 Aug 2013 22:19:16 GMT

Even though I have been an avid racing fan ;there is alot I have missed. Thank you for adding to my album Steve. Steve you are horseracing.

re: Saratoga Snapshots; 45 Years of Memories

Bill Two — Wed, 07 Aug 2013 20:10:04 GMT

Great stuff, Steve! All you have to do is to mention the Doctor and I perk up. I will always remember Haywood Hale Broun waz poetic on WOR about the horse - as only he could. The thing is, he lived up to the hype. Dr. Fager started the ball rolling for me and my interest in the sport is still keen all these years later. Thanks for the memories.

re: Saratoga Snapshots; 45 Years of Memories

Paseana — Wed, 07 Aug 2013 19:34:31 GMT

Just a terrific piece, Steve, as usual. I too love the pic of Affirmed. No greater judge of conformation...the late great equine portraitist Richard Stone Reeves once said that Affirmed was one of the three most perfect equine specimens that he ever put to canvas, which is saying a lot. The other two were Secretariat and Buckpasser. Affirmed was a beauty....I still miss him.

re: Saratoga Snapshots; 45 Years of Memories

Bethany Loftis — Wed, 07 Aug 2013 18:43:28 GMT

Ted from LA- and yet it seems there are!

Bob from Boston- yes I do, but I am ashamed to admit I don't post nearly as often as I should. Dr. D sure needs to hurry up and get back! Half the party is missing...

re: Saratoga Snapshots; 45 Years of Memories

The Doctor — Wed, 07 Aug 2013 18:19:28 GMT

Deltalady - Hedevar ran up the track that day 8th to be precise, what a joke to even entertain the idea that he could evenly compete with "The Doc"!! Whitely was probably hoping to just hit the board. Not to be!!

re: Saratoga Snapshots; 45 Years of Memories

prudofrompuertorico — Wed, 07 Aug 2013 16:04:21 GMT

Just one thing comes to my mind, the great chinese philosopher. "DO SOMETHING THAT YOU ENJOY AND YOU WILL NEVER WORK" YOU HAVE BEEN BLESSED.

re: Saratoga Snapshots; 45 Years of Memories

lunar spook — Wed, 07 Aug 2013 15:45:32 GMT

Great pic of affirmed , what a lean machine he was , for my money one of the three or four best horses I ever saw run !

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Deltalady — Wed, 07 Aug 2013 14:22:19 GMT

Thank you, Steve for a beautiful retrospective. As I read your recollection of your first photo taken with your new Instamatic, I decided to see if I could find a video replay of the 1968 Washington Park Handicap and the Doctor's NWR. It's grainy, but it captures a moment in time: http://youtu.be/6wVBNbmcaAE

(Interesting side note: in the race call, there's mention of Hedevar, famous rabbit stablemate of Damascus.) Your columns always inspire and cause me to want to know more and grow my knowledge about the sport and its great human and equine stars. Your past columns are a veritable gold mine of information and heartwarming reminiscences. Just wish the archive went back farther than 2008!

re: Saratoga Snapshots; 45 Years of Memories

Davids — Wed, 07 Aug 2013 07:13:42 GMT

Steve, your photos appear as though they are from another world, and they are. I never quite understand what happened to racing from when I was an infant, the immortal Dr. Fager's era, to now.

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The Deacon — Wed, 07 Aug 2013 06:19:31 GMT

The Doctor: The question was too easy. No horse has held my heart tighter but we all have our favorites. My dad's love was Swaps.

I am sure you and so many of these bloggers have their favorites as well. It's just that certain horses touch us in a certain way.

No explanation, it just is.....

re: Saratoga Snapshots; 45 Years of Memories

Ta Wee — Wed, 07 Aug 2013 03:01:44 GMT

I've often wondered what kind of incredible season Dr. Fager could've had as a 5yo had he not been retired. With maybe a 7 furlong prep once again in the Roseben, he would've gone right into the Cater and Met Mile where I seriuosly doubt he could be beaten by any horse in history at these distances. He would probably be carrying 140 or more for the Met. From there on to the Suburban , Brooklyn, and Whitney where lord knows how much Wt. he would be assigned-surely more than anyone in the storied history of these events. After sweeping these events with no Damascus and Hedevar to challenge him, on to the Woodward where possibly champion 3yo Arts And Letters would take a shot at him. Then retire him and leave no doubt as to the fastest, greatest, and most dominating horse of all-time.

re: Saratoga Snapshots; 45 Years of Memories

Bob from Boston — Tue, 06 Aug 2013 23:59:12 GMT

Bethany, Do you come here often? Dr. D is at Dollywood this week, but he'll be back soon.

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Ted from LA — Tue, 06 Aug 2013 23:56:47 GMT

Bethany Loftis, If I were any better there would be two of me.

re: Saratoga Snapshots; 45 Years of Memories

Racingfan — Tue, 06 Aug 2013 22:10:07 GMT

Thank you Steve for another amazing article and for the beautiful pictures. You and your family are very fortunate to have spent so much time in the presence of these incredible animals as I'm sure you know. I have never been to Saratoga but really hope to go someday. But, if I never get the chance, at least I have gotten to "feel" like I've been there thanks to your wonderful writing. Please keep the articles coming - they can sure brighten the day!

re: Saratoga Snapshots; 45 Years of Memories

The Doctor — Tue, 06 Aug 2013 21:55:12 GMT

Well Steve you did it again! Richard Stone Reeves couldn't have painted a better picture of The Spa if he had a thousand photos from your instamatic to work with !! I do subscribe to The Bloodhorse so I read your article earlier last week. Great call to share with all your fans on the Blood Horse site....

The Deacon - this is the picture of "THE DOC" I was teasing you with in an earlier blog when you forgot to mention him with the immortals as you earlier declared that he was your all time favorite. Steve I was there for the 1968 Whitney which "The Doc" won in virtual walkover! And if I would have been there two weeks later having breakfast at the workouts you would have had another 21 year old keeping you company in that rainstorm on the rail to see in my humble opinion the best of all time!! Hope to see you Alabama or Labor Day weekends at The Spa!! Keep up the great work.

re: Saratoga Snapshots; 45 Years of Memories

Bethany Loftis — Tue, 06 Aug 2013 19:01:13 GMT

Jackie- what an awesome treat?! Thanks for sharing your wonderful trip as well! Sounds like Kenny was a gracious host to you and your friends. Here's to hoping you get to make many more trips!

Dr. D, Ted from LA- how are you doing?